SAIS offers several kinds of financial aid options, awarded on the basis of need and merit, and provides information and assistance with applying for aid. Candidates should recognize, however, that although SAIS does offer limited fellowship funding each year, the cost of attending school is significant, so students should plan carefully. Very few SAIS fellowship awards cover full tuition, and they do not include living stipends. Students are therefore encouraged to seek other sources of funding in addition to applying for a SAIS fellowship. There are some outside sources of funding available to many students. Information on these can be found on our Financial Aid Resources page. Since many external funding organizations require that the candidate apply months in advance of enrolling in a graduate school, candidates should begin applying for these fellowships at the same time that they apply for admission to SAIS.
SAIS fellowships and grants are awarded only to full-time students on the basis of both academic promise and demonstrated financial need. All students applying for federal and institutional financial aid must complete the appropriate SAIS financial aid form and U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov .to be considered for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. The SAIS Title IV FAFSA code is E00474.
Financial need is the difference between the student's resources and his or her educational expenses. Since the primary responsibility for financing educational costs rests with the student and his or her family, aid from SAIS should be considered supplementary to family resources or other outside aid.
Each awarded student receives a package of financial aid based on his or her particular need. The package may consist of a combination of grants, low-interest loans, and federal work study.
Funding comes from federal, university, and private sources (such as corporations and foundations). Aid is awarded on an annual basis, and students must reapply for aid for their second year in accordance with stated deadlines and procedures. Recipients of SAIS fellowships in the first year may expect the same in the second year if they maintain satisfactory academic progress, have no failing or incomplete grades, continue to demonstrate financial need, and are full-time students. SAIS cannot be responsible for funding non-SAIS fellowships for the second year.
Students admitted by the Bologna Center must file their financial aid application with the Bologna Center. Financial aid awards are based on academic performance during the first semester and demonstrated financial need. Fellowship funds are limited; students should begin researching additional funding sources as soon as possible.
Students who enter SAIS in January are not eligible for fellowship awards in their first semester. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for the federal and alternative loan programs.
If you have questions regarding financial aid, please contact us.